Even more new offerings in the Sunshine State
As 2023 comes to a close, there is so much to look forward to in the Sunshine State in 2024. Whether travellers are looking for new places to stay, take a trip to one of the many thrilling theme parks or experience a part of the state they may not have known, Florida has so many new things to explore. Read on for just a small selection of the many exciting new things to experience in Florida in 2024:
MIAMI: Grupo Mandolina is a leading hospitality group with renowned restaurants and lounges in Mexico City, Miami, and Las Vegas. Grupo Mandolina curates dining concepts based on culinary quality, top service, and an inviting ambiance. Among its current properties are the well-known Mexico City restaurants, Mandolina and Karpos. Grupo Mandolina recently expanded in the United States with the opening of Giorgina by Grupo Mandolina, a Coastal Italian restaurant with Mexican influences. Giorgina is set to make its debut in the heart of Miami's Wynwood neighborhood in November 2023.
Zuri set to debut in November 2023, is a hidden riad in the heart of Miami's artistic Wynwood neighborhood that offers a modern interpretation of an experience deeply rooted in Moroccan traditions. Zuri will serve as a center of life, where guests can gather and enjoy a Moroccan and Mediterranean menu with innovative cocktails and music that will let their minds wander. Inspired by Morocco's warm and welcoming hospitality essence, Zuri will take visitors on an unforgettable culinary journey filled with unique flavors and extraordinary experiences.
BRADENTON: The Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, operated by Gulf Coast Water Taxi, is developing the new Gulf Islands Ferry. The new service will be a water ferry line going between Downtown Bradenton, FL and Anna Maria Island. Powered by renewable energy sources, and designed to be energy-efficient, the ferry system supports BACVB’s continued sustainability initiatives. Service is anticipated to begin later this year, in time for the winter months.
ORLANDO: Evermore Orlando Resort, the next generation vacation rental resort, and Conrad Orlando, the latest addition to Hilton’s contemporary luxury hotel brand, are now accepting reservations for stays beginning from Feb. 5, 2024, in anticipation of a late-2023 grand opening. The re-imagined, 10,000-bedroom complex will offer an array of stay experiences from single homes and villas to flats. The Conrad Orlando will feature 433 rooms, including 51 regular suites and 10 spacious family suites. Other features include 40,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, a tranquil spa, various water amenities, numerous dining options and a signature rooftop experience.
The Alfond Inn at Rollins completed its property expansion and opened its new wing in August, as it celebrated its 10th anniversary. In addition to the renovation of the existing 112 rooms and suites in the hotel, the expansion will include an additional 71 luxury guestrooms and suites; a lobby café; and The Spa at The Alfond Inn, offering a wellness component through signature treatments, steam, sauna, fitness area, the hotel’s second swimming pool, with private cabanas, and an extensive outdoor living room that is available for private events – all set to open sometime this winter.
SOUTH WALTON: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, an all-encompassing resort located along Northwest Florida’s emerald coast, has announced a $35M property refresh. Comprised of three separate phases, the renovations kicked off with a complete room redesign, set to be completed and available for bookings later this year. The hotel’s full property-wide renovation is set to conclude prior to spring break of 2024.
JACKSONVILLE: The second contemporary art museum to be established in the United States, and the oldest museum in the region, MOCA Jacksonville will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2024. MOCA’s mission remains focused on the art, artists and ideas of our time just as the group of visionary pioneering women who founded the museum had envisioned it to be. A few of the museum’s new winter offerings include an exhibition built around the Norman E. Fisher Collection, A Walk on the Wild Side that will open in MOCA’s permanent collection on December 1, and Project Atrium, which features renowned contemporary artist Frank Stella, will be the museum’s anniversary installation set for February 2024.
Jacksonville, Florida will also see several new hotel openings later this year and early next. Hilton is getting ready to open two properties, Tru by Hilton near JAX Airport and Home2 Suites by Hilton in the Brooklyn neighborhood near downtown which will include a street-level restaurant and public art. Marriott is also working on multiple properties to open in the coming months. TownePlace Suites by Marriott Jacksonville Airport will be finished by the end of the year and AC Hotel Jacksonville St. Johns Town Center is preparing for a February 2024 opening date that will feature 118 rooms and 1,400 square feet of meeting space.
Other developments in Jacksonville set to complete within the coming months include Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park in the LaVilla Neighborhood of Jacksonville, FL in honor of James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson, authors of the song “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” The Friendship Fountain, which is located on the south bank of the St. John’s Riverwalk, is currently undergoing renovations and set to open soon.
FLORIDA’S SPORTS COAST: The only place to experience “snow” in the state of Florida, Snowcat Ridge, invites guests to enjoy the Snowy Slopes, the Alpine Village, and more at the one-of-a-kind snow park. Visitors can tube down a 60-foot tall, 400-foot-long snow tubing hill featuring single, tandem, and 10-person snow tubing. Guests can also fully immerse themselves in this winter escape in the middle of Florida as they build snowmen in The Arctic Igloo, a snow arena filled with real snow (hovering just around 30 degrees Fahrenheit!). The Crystal Ribbon offers an outdoor ice-skating experience unlike no other where skaters can lace up and glide gracefully across the ribbon-shaped ice rink. Whether it's during the day under Florida's sunny skies, or at night amidst the festive music and light shows, Snowcat Ridge has something for everyone. Featuring a variety of vendors offering food, drinks, beer, wine, and shopping, the Alpine Village also offers a cozy campfire, where guests can roast s’mores while enjoying the perfect view of the entire winter wonderland.
ST. AUGUSTINE: The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club recently unveiled 64 beautifully renovated luxurious beachfront guest rooms in the Summer House and St. Johns House. The Resort recently added a Croquet Lawn and Bocce Court for guests to enjoy. This tournament style lawn setup has two golf croquet courts, each court accommodating up to four players. The courts are available to guests and members daily from 9 a.m. until dusk.
The long-awaited opening of Hyatt Place Vilano Beach, opened in October 2023. The hotel’s spectacular Art Deco design and rooftop dining provides 120 guest rooms and gorgeous event spaces just steps from the beach. The hotel features one of the St. Augustine area’s finest dining experiences, Pesca Vilano providing coastal cuisine by Michael’s. Pesca offers fine dining and rooftop culinary experiences with a one-of-a-kind view of St. Augustine’s skyline, the Matanzas Bay, St. Augustine Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean
The recent opening of 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach offers an exceptional oceanfront dining experience at the resort’s all new oceanfront Cabana Beach Club. Open to the general public, 1912 provides spectacular views of the Atlantic, with indoor/outdoor seating on the second and third floors and a menu that features fresh seafood, small plates, elevated cocktails, and wines. In addition to 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop, The Cabana Beach Club provides member and resort guests access to Sea Porch Dining Club, featuring resort guest favorites like crispy calamari salad & the lobster roll, Sharkey’s Café for tasty sandwiches, burgers, and drinks, relax by the pool, take a swim in the Atlantic, r stroll along the miles of beautiful beaches.
Bourbon and Boards, part of a new St. Augustine concept in development in St. Augustine, Dining at the Plaza, recently opened with rave reviews. Bourbon and Boards serves up late evening charcuterie boards, craft cocktails and bourbon, set to a relaxing atmosphere live jazz bands/musician. Bourbon and Boards is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays only from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Dining at the Plaza also includes Ancient City Brunch Bar and Ancient City Supper Club.
PUNTA GORDA: The Sunseeker Resort, when complete, will have 785 rooms, 20 restaurants and bars, two pools, a spa and salon, a 117,000-square-foot “ground-level experience,” adults-only rooftop retreat, 60,000 square feet of meeting space, a harbor walk and an 18-hole golf course. The resort is scheduled to open December 15, 2023.
Harbor Yards Food Hall is the centerpiece of Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor's culinary experience. Home to a delectable range of original concepts, this first-in-Southwest Florida offering is united by superb attention to detail, chef-crafted recipes, and exceptional ingredients. Enjoy 180-degree waterfront views with indoor and outdoor seating including a fire pit and beer garden while savoring fare from any of the 11 uniquely curated concepts in the food hall. Featuring over 200 globally inspired menu items, this vibrant three-meal dining bazaar can solve any craving.
KISSIMMEE: Some of the rarest cars known to exist are headed to Mecum Kissimmee 2024, which will take place this January 2-14 at Osceola Heritage Park. With a projected 4,000 vehicle consignments expected in total, the annual event will continue to honor its official designation as The World’s Largest Collector Car Auction®, offering a broad selection of American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, exotics, trucks, Hot Rods, customs and more with live coverage on MotorTrendTV and MotorTrend+
The Sunshine State offers visitors an assortment of unparalleled culinary options. To learn more and plan your next trip, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.com.
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About VISIT FLORIDA
VISIT FLORIDA is the Sunshine State’s official tourism marketing corporation and travel planning resource for visitors across the globe. As Florida’s No. 1 industry, tourism was responsible for welcoming over 137.4 million visitors in 2022, the highest number of visitors in the state’s history. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations and visitor services programs, and works with travel industry partners throughout the state. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, follow @FloridaTourism on Facebook and Twitter, or go to visitflorida.org. For inspiration in the Sunshine State, follow @VISITFLORIDA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.visitflorida.com. For media resources, visit www.visitfloridamedia.com.
About VoX International
VoX International is a Canadian-owned destination marketing firm based in Toronto, Canada with offices in Vancouver and Montreal, providing Canadian representation nationally. VoX is a full-service sales, marketing, event planning and public relations agency led by a team of high profile, knowledgeable travel industry executives. Recognized as a marketplace leader, VoX offers a wide range of support within the North American meeting, incentive, events, and hospitality and leisure tourism sectors. VoX’s passion for providing personal, innovative and results driven solutions are key factors for driving the company’s reputation for success.
Media Contact:
Shahfreen Elavia
Senior Public Relations Manager
VISIT FLORIDA – Canada
shahfreen@voxinternational.com
416-935-1896 ext. 242